Greeters v. Guides

[Butterfly]

Hi friends,

It has come to my attention that some people find the name of our new staff position (Greeters) a bit ambiguous. I am open to changing the name but wanting to see what others think before making the change.

The description for this position is as follows:
A person who is friendly and easily approachable that helps make users feel accepted and welcome into our community. You can think of this position like a Walmart store Greeter, or like a white hat at a play party. Those in this position would be asked to welcome new members, answer general questions, direct people to the correct forums or people, report tech issues and basically help make this a welcoming place.

Do you think this position should remain as KW Greeter? or should be change it to KW Guide?
Please mark your decision in the poll and feel free to leave a comment to explain your choice.

If you are interested in stepping into this roll, please fill out an application here.

 

[Butterfly]

My logic ...

Greeters are people who greet. They say hello, they welcome you into a space. They are around if you need anything. These are just regular users who love the site and want to make people feel included and welcome.

Guides walk you through a space. They have extensive knowledge about that space and have the answers. I am cautious about putting that responsibility on users because we are all still learning this new layout and things are constantly changing.

 

[DasPuppy]

I voted for "Guides".

My reasoning is as follows:
I am not familiar with the concept of a greeter at a store, or a white hat at play parties. Especially the former is either a North American concept, or just not a thing in this part of Europe I live in. I'm more than curious to find out what others make of this from other parts of the world.

A guide though feels quite a bit more self explanatory than "Greeter", which in my mind means someone who just says "Hi! How can I help you?" When I just wandered into a place I haven't even explored yet to know what it is about. But that could just be my German coming through, who doesn't like strangers randomly approaching them.

 

[Cstelle]

We don't have shop greeters here in the mythical North, but I've seen them in American films. I thought it was some kind of a charity thing for old people or people with disabilities (because the US doesn't have a functioning social security system). Sorry!

But I'm not sure guide would be right either, although the word certainly better describes what they do. Maybe I just don't like the word "guide"? Sherpas? (Giggle!) Volunteers? interns? No, I guess I don't have better ideas.

 

[Napoleon]

Greeter is a more friendly term.
The word guide is too general as it can be a book, a tour guide, a guide rope ...... I guess you get what I mean.
In my opinion, I prefer "Greeter"

 

[Sir_Damian]

What Puppy said resonates with me (maybe because I'm also German?).

"Greeter" is a term I hadn't heard before. To me it just means the literal "saying hello". Which is a nice thing to do but Butterfly's description of the staff role encompasses more than that.

Sure, "guide" is a big word but to me it doesn't mean you ought to know everything. I once had city tour through my own city where I told guide stuff they didn't know - and that's not a bad thing. I don't think guides need to be omniscient. They can do their job as long as they know lots about the place and are happy to help new people.

Long story short, I like "guide" better.

 

[Simi]

Greeter sounds to me like we are basically only responsible for interacting with new members, and if i was on the other side of it, I wouldn't reach out to a greeter with questions whereas I would to a guide. A guide sounds more like the "example to other members" that you had implied you wanted us as. The concept of greeters at stores to me always felt weird, and off putting, and i have been socially awkward enough that on being engaged by people in stores i'd sometimes just leave... The greeter concept in businesses feels very north American, as i can tell you most of us Europeans literally wouldn't know/only associate it with the likes of Walmart who may have made some ill-advised decisions in some European country's which is a bit off-putting.

"* Direct people to the correct forums, or people to answer their questions" yeah, we can serve as a guide to whomever has said knowledge... A guide doesn't necessarily know everything about the forum, but do know where to find said answers (either faq or checking in with the staff)

 

[deschut]

Although I do get the point Butterfly makes, greeter to me sounds more 'one-time' - so basically say "Hi" only.
While a guide both welcomes, but also gives some direction & advice. Hence I prefer "Guide".

 

[BDsub]

Guide seems more accurate for the job description and the title of greeter can sound a little demeaning. Here in. The U.S., a greeter makes you think of a Walmart greeter which is typically an older retired person that just sits there saying welcome to Walmart. Not exactly a prestigious position.

 

[Dungeonmaster]

The concept of a greeter in a store is completely foreign to me and honestly kinda weird.
That being said I believe this is truly only an american thing, because never have I seen this anywhere else in the world.

Outside of America, when you hear the term greeter, it tells you that person says hello (greets you) and that's it. They are out after.
Never would I ever reach out with a question to such someone with such a title, I would though reach out to a guide. A guide is very commonly understood as someone who can help you in whatever way.

Ps: I also find the title "greeter" kinda disrespectful to be honest. This might be a perception due to us not having this, but at least around here we see that "walmart greeter" as some 80+ person who can't do anything else anymore. Thank the movies for that, if it isn't true.

 

[dgforyourpleasure]

I understand the logic between the greeter vs guide the Butterfly explained especially since this is a new place

However, I agree that greeter to me is someone who stands at the door and says hello. They don’t do much else, and I can totally see how it can feel demeaning in away. When I think of greeter, I think of the Walmart greeter or like a child at the front door of a school event saying hello. So if it’s between greeted and guide, I would go with guide.

When I was part of larger organizations (non-kinky), we used these terms for the roles of members who new members can turn to to feel welcomed and supported: welcome host, welcome team, friendly face… but all of these names might be a little too long

 

[Butterfly]

Due to an overwhelming majority, we have officially changed the name of greeters to guides. We will be working over the weekend to make the changes needed throughout the site to reflect the change.

Thank you all for your input.